Graduate Courses

In the first year PhD students will participate in the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences (FiBS) core curriculum as well as have the opportunity to select elective courses focused on area-specific interests.  Additionally, trainees will engage in laboratory rotations, in journal clubs and research seminars.  Trainees will work closely with a faculty advisor in the development of an individual plan that will be tailored to serve specific research and professional goals.  After selection of a laboratory, students will join the program/department with which the mentor is affiliated and continue advanced studies towards candidacy.

Courses offered by the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

GMS PA 510 Medical Immunology
This course is a graduate level introductory course to the basics of immunology. Topics include the innate immune system, T and B cell functions, mechanisms of autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, HIV and hypersensitivity reactions. The course emphasizes the clinical aspects of the immune system. This course is appropriate for students interested in an introduction to how the immune system functions, those interested in updates on the rapidly changing aspects of immunology or those interested in how the immune system drives different diseases. Spring Semester, Remick, 2 credits.

GMS PA 600 Introduction to Pathology and Pathophysiology of Disease
Lectures and interactive auto-tutorial case studies presenting the basic morphologic and functional changes of major disease processes: cell injury and death, inflammation, cell and tissue response to microorganisms, atherosclerosis, cancer and organ system pathology. Mellott. 4 credits, 2nd semester.

GMS PA 700 Basic and Experimental Pathology
Prereq: GMS BI 755 or equivalent. Basic principles of pathology are presented through lectures (students attend the GMS PA 600 lectures), laboratory sessions and computer-assisted instruction. Related research articles and basic histology are discussed in small group session that complement the lectures.  Blusztajn. 4 credits, 2nd semester.

GMS PA 710 Principles of Basic and Applied Pathology
Required for first-year Pathology PhD students (Click here for more info). Pathology is the study of disease causes and consequences. Want more in- depth information about pathology and other faculty research interests? Invited GMS faculty present their current research projects in class to give you an overview of the breadth and depth of research opportunities on campus. Students also attend weekly Pathology Department seminars and learn how to write summaries. Did you know the most important parts of a grant application are summaries? This course will prepare you for lab rotations and help guide your decisions regarding thesis research directions. 2 credits, 1st semester (NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED).

GMS PA 800 Pathology Seminar
Graduate Prerequisites: GMS PA600 or PA700 or consent of instructor.
Weekly research seminar presented by faculty, students, and guests. Prior to each seminar, research papers authored by the speaker will be sent to graduate students and faculty to provide additional background material. Duffy. 2 credits, 1st semester.

GMS PA 801 Special Topics -Detailed examination of one specific area of research each term, presented in readings, discussions, and lectures. Presents significant background information, current knowledge, research approaches, and laboratory methodology in each area.  2 cr, 2nd semester

GMS PA 810 – Seminars in THE BUSINESS OF SCIENCE
This is an introduction to the business realities of modern biomedical science which is patent-driven and product-oriented.  Lectures from invited speakers from the biomedical, legal, regulatory and business worlds will provide basic terminology and perspective to give an overview for how an idea in the laboratory is translated into a marketable commodity. Keystone speakers who have bridged the science and business experiences will share their stories of inspiration, travails and success. A 2 credit course of seminars, evaluation by exam and a final project similar to a product business plan.  Pass/Fail. Duffy, 1st semester.

GMS PA 811 – Seminars in THE BUSINESS OF SCIENCE
This is an introduction to the business realities of modern biomedical science which is patent-driven and product-oriented.  Lectures from invited speakers from the biomedical, legal, regulatory and business worlds will provide basic terminology and perspective to give an overview for how an idea in the laboratory is translated into a marketable commodity. Keystone speakers who have bridged the science and business experiences will share their stories of inspiration, travails and success. A 2 credit course of seminars, evaluation by exam and a final project similar to a product business plan.  letter grade. Duffy, 1st semester.

GMS PA 900 Laboratory Rotations in Pathology, 2 credits, 1st & 2nd semester.

GMS PA 901 Research in Pathology, variable credits.

GMS PA-910 Human Biospecimens for Research
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the creation, maintenance and efficient use of an indispensible component of translational research in medicine – human tissue and its derivatives. Lectures from invited speakers with extensive experience in human bio-specimens generation, maintenance, and utilization, will provide students with knowledge how to successfully obtain and utilize human bio-specimens. Topics will include logistics and legal aspects of creating and sustaining bio-banks, federal and institutional regulatory and funding mechanisms, and concrete examples of human bio-specimens use to generate break-through data in specific field of biomedical research. Special attention will be given to human biospecimens used in neuroscience as four neuropathologists/neuroscientists from Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Boston University are enlisted as speakers to give comprehensive overview of biospecimens utilized in neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. Andry, Duffy, 2 credits, 2nd semester (every other year beginning in 2015).

GMS PA 925 Pathology Bootcamp Pathology Bootcamp is a 2 month curriculum with thirty-nine, 50 minute lectures given 3-5 times per week. Lectures are provided by board-certified pathologists, senior Pathology faculty or staff and focus on basic topics necessary to the practice of surgical pathology, anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine. The overall course objectives are to reinforce and extend pathology knowledge of the residents and graduate students, and to introduce them to the workflow operations of a major urban hospital-based Pathology department. Higgins,  4 cr.  1st semester.

GMS PA 932 Histopathology The goal of the course is to give students a fundamental knowledge and practical experience of human and animal histology and pathology that students need to prepare for a career in pathology and laboratory medicine. This course familiarizes students with biospecimen processing and management at the organ, tissue, cellular and molecular levels. By studying different organs and organ systems, students develop an understanding of the normal and diseased state at the macro and microscopic levels. The course is reinforced with applied, hands-on laboratory sessions that would provide practical experience in the topics covered in the preceding lectures. The students learn how to dissect, preserve, process, section, and stain tissue. The teaching faculty will include “board certified pathologists” as well as experienced members of the pathology department. Andry, Duffy, 4 cr., 1st semester.

Medical school

PISCEs:  Immunology
Module Director: Daniel Remick

PISCEs: Pathology Content Lead: Moore

Dental school

MD520/OH700 A1 General Pathology
Moore, 2nd semester